Boyzone Dolls

Boyzone were a five piece boyband from Ireland. They were put together by Louis Walsh in 1993 and soon became a chart staple, churning out hit after hit until they eventually split in 2000. They later got back together and resumed touring, continuing on as a foursome after the untimely death of Stephen Gately in 2009.

Vivid Imaginations released a set of 12" lookalike dolls in 1995. If you collected three tokens from the tops of the doll boxes you could send them off, along with a £1.50 cheque or postal order to cover the postage, you could get a 'free' doll. As far as I can tell this was just sent at random from existing stock.

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★ Ronan - box front / box back.

★ Shane - box front / box back.

★ Mike - box front / box back.

★ Steve - box front / box back.

★ Keith - box front / box back.

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This Week - 29/11/2020

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This week has just been super stressful. We had the interview process for the new headteacher for Maendy Primary School, plus an emergency school closure due to coronavirus - nothing helps you remain calm and professional for long virtual meetings like a five year old poking you in the ribs and hissing 'MUM' every 10 seconds - and a bunch of other meetings on various topics. The main problem is that my anxiety has been through the roof, magnifying everything into a major crisis.

I had a telephone appointment with the doctor mid-week, so they upped my medication to the maximum dose. Hopefully it will help.

We put the Christmas tree up yesterday and today I promised Marianna her elf on the shelf would be arriving. So of course I can't find it. I've turned the spare room upside down to no avail so we've had to use the 'stuck in the TV' trick and order a new one on Amazon while Santa attempts to free him... (Anthony went in every shop in town but no joy.) 

At least the school is open again tomorrow. 

On the blog I posted a guide to Yaboom's Westlife dolls, Anthony's Christmas Gift Guide, a Friday Five looking at the Shroud of Turin, and a Mini Mart review. The new Tots100 scores came out and I fell from #40 to #129. It seems symbolic of this entire week to be honest!

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Deal of the Week -

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Song of the Week -

What The Hell - Avril Lavigne

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Mini Mart:

Supplier: KarenBaby8
Website: Etsy Store

Products:

1/12 scale miniature household goods, including packaged food, cleaning products, and Christmas decorations. They are really well made and look super realistic. Just check out the little roll of bin liners.

Post and Packing:  Starts from £1.80 within the UK. 

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Friday Five: The Shroud of Turin

This week I've been mostly reading about the Shroud of Turin. There was a documentary about it on Blaze which made me realise that though I'd heard of it, I didn't really know anything about it. So here we are a pile of books later with five important points to remember...

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#5. What is it?

The Shroud of Turin is, well, a shroud that is kept at Turin Cathedral. It is a rectangle of fine three-to-one herringbone weave linen, measuring 4.4 by 1.1 metres - aka 8 by 2 Assyrian cubits, the measurements that would have been used in first century marketplaces. The same kind of marketplaces Joseph of Arimathea presumably bought his shroud from.

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.

Matthew 27:57-60 

Because the more notable thing about this shroud is that it is stained with blood and the mysteriously imprinted image of a crucified man. Perhaps, even, a very famous crucified man...

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#4. Why All The Fuss?

Holy relics, while maybe not ten a penny, were certainly, er, well represented in the medieval church. As John Calvin once commented, if all the church's relics were brought together "it would be made manifest that every Apostle has more than four bodies, and every Saint two or three." Pope Clement VII himself seems to have decreed in 1390 that this shroud was not to be venerated as a relic, but could be presented as a representation of the actual holy shroud. It continued to have its supporters, even so, and Turin Cathedral held public exhibitions of it to mark notable occasions from the 16th century onwards.

What really changed the status of the Shroud of Turin was the 400th anniversary of Turin Cathedral in 1898. King Umberto I of Italy agreed to a public exhibition of the Shroud, and to Secondo Pia taking a few photographs to help publicise it. When Pia went to develop the plates he is said to have almost dropped them in shock - the negative plate revealed the full face of a man which had been all but hidden to the naked eye.

Sindonology, the scientific study of the Shroud of Turin, was born.

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#3. Medieval or Not?

The history of the shroud can only be traced with any kind of certainty to 1354 when French knight Geoffroi de Charny put it on display at a Lirey church, perhaps to offer the populace hope during an outbreak of plague. From there it was entrusted to the custodianship of Humbert, Count de La Roche, whose widow - ignoring the pleas of the canons at Lirey - sold it to the Duchess of Savoy in exchange for a castle. 

The Savoys took it to various European cities before placing it in Turin Cathedral in 1578. They eventually gifted the shroud to the Holy See in 1983.

But. There is a school of thought that links the Shroud with the Image of Edessa - aka 'Mandylion' - which disappeared from Constantinople during a sacking by European crusaders in 1204. The legends of the Image claim it was originally sent to King Abgar of Edessa, via one of the disciples, after he wrote to Jesus asking for a cure. Of course, the Image is just a portrait of Jesus, while the shroud depicts the entire body.

Even that doesn't necessarily discredit the claim. The shroud was clearly kept folded for long periods of time - the triangular marks were made by melted silver burning through the folds in a 1532 church fire - and it is contended that the Image of Edessa was simply the shroud folded over so as to only show the face.

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3D reconstruction by Prof. Giulio Fanti

#2. But Wasn't It Debunked Already?

The shroud has been subject to various bouts of scientific analysis over the years, perhaps most famously the radiocarbon dating of the linen in 1989. A swatch was taken from one corner of the shroud, from which the University of Oxford, the University of Arizona, and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology concluded with 95% confidence that the material was made in the thirteenth or fourteenth century.

Believers argue, however, that the swatch taken was not representative of the entire shroud. The most convincing arguments contends that the area in question was subject to medieval 'reweaving', perhaps unraveling the cloth and splicing in dyed cotton threads for an almost invisible patch, either to restore damage or to allow people to take souvenirs from the cloth without it being obvious. Other contaminants that could have thrown off the radiocarbon date include smoke, carbon monoxide, bacteria, or the unknown energy source which potentially created the image. 

The best way to clear up the controversy would be to send swatches from various parts of the shroud for radiocarbon testing. The downsides to such a move are, well, cutting bits out of an irreplaceable relic. I guess as science advances further testing will one day become a possibility.

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The Holy Shroud - Giovanni Battista della Rovere

#1. How Was The Image Made?

This is the real question and why the shroud remains such an enduring mystery. Because whether it's a genuine impression of Jesus or a medieval forgery, we still don't know how the image got onto the cloth. Science has concluded that it's not paint or dust-transfer or bas-relief or acid pigmentation. It was possibly created by a high intensity energy source or radiation - so high intensity we have so far been unable to recreate it on a full size replica.

The theory that has most intrigued me is by microbiologist Dr. Stephen Mattingly. His 2015 book, How Skin Bacteria Created the Image on the Shroud of Turin (available on Kindle Unlimited), explains how the crucifixion process could have created the perfect conditions for Staphylococcus epidermidis to create a biofilm on the skin which then transferred to the shroud. Mattingly used his own hand and face to demonstrate how it works, and the results are certainly intriguing.

Conclusive? No. But then it would no longer be a mystery, would it...

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What do you think? Let me know in the comments! :)

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Anthony's Gift Guide For Men

"Never knowing what to get for the men in her life, Jessica has asked me to put together this list of top picks for the set to put a smile on the face of any man..."

(AKA the post where Anthony lays out how disappointed he is likely to be on Christmas morning!)

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ENTERTAINMENT

Future Perfect- Vintage Futuristic Graphics- Taschen : I've recently been getting reading some classic Doctor Who Comics from the 60's and I love the visions of the future from 60 years ago, its all flying cars, curved skyscrapers, and high walkways in pastel colours. 

Buy it here.

The Stepford Wives- Ira Levin: A Sci-Fi classic where men can literally create their perfect woman, what could possibly go wrong in this vintage staple of science fiction literature? 

Buy it here.

The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps: An Atlas not of the world as you know it, but an atlas as the world was thought to be, with made up mountain ranges, non existent islands and populations that never were. 

Buy it here.

The Complete Flash Gordon Library: On the Planet Mongo Volume 1- Alex Raymond: The collected Sunday Comic Strips that brought the pulp hero to the page back in the 1930's collected here are Flash's early adventures taken from the Planet Earth to the far reaches of Mongo into the devilish hands of Ming the Merciless. 

Buy it here.

The Hairy Bikers: Meat Feasts: What is Christmas without portions of food so large that you spend the next 12 months working them off?  Well that is what the Hairy Bikers deliver by the plateful, filled with over 120 recipes to set the mouth watering and the stomach churning furiously in hunger. 

Buy it here.

The Doctor Who Annual 2021: its one of those traditions, getting an annual at Christmas, a Beano of a Dandy or a Match of the Day. Well this year, to round off my collection, I'm recommending the 2021 Doctor Who Annual 

Buy it here.

Mel Brooks DVD Box Set: Collecting together some of the comedy great's earlier and lesser known works this box set provides a some rip roaring laughs that by this point in 2020 we could all use. 

Buy it here.

The Addams Family Complete Series DVD Box Set: See the Creepy and Kooky Addams Family in their earliest adventures featuring madcap mayhem from TV's freakiest family. 

Buy it here.

 

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FOOD & KITCHEN

Mucha Liga Tequila Blanco: Anything that comes served in the head of luchador is worth a look, but this may actually be the only drinkable tequila that I have ever discovered. 

Buy it here.

Berry Bros and Rudd- Good Ordinary Claret: A wonderful red wine that's both full bodied and flavourful with no notes of pretentiousness about it. 

Buy it here.

World of Zing- Mini Craft Cocktail Collection: A perfect way to beat back the holiday blues with this set of mini craft cocktails from The World of Zing 

Buy it here.

Thorntons Turkish Delight Chocolate Box: My absolute favourite chocolate, however I now no longer have a local branch of Thornton's so have to make do with ordering online. 

Buy it here.

Jack Link's Beef Jerky Selection Box: I'm pretty new to the whole jerky thing. I'm not really one for sweet snacks or crisps so when I discovered Jerky it was like a revelation to my snacking sensibilities. 

Buy it here.

Snowdonia Cheese Company- Best Sellers Selection: Lots of different cheese from one of the best cheese companies that I've ever tasted. 

Buy it here.

Tefal Blendforce Blender: A must have for any cocktail or smoothie enthusiast with a glass jug and stainless steel blades, makes blending a dream and cleaning even easier. 

Buy it here.

Pyrex Oval Pie Dish: I've been getting into baking pies this year, as meals go they're pretty easy to make and overall pretty filling. But for a good pie you need the right equipment. Pyrex is a trusted brand for cookware, and something that Jessica swears by, and if she wants me to continue with all the cooking in this house, Santa better buy me a pie dish. 

Buy it here.

VonShef Cocktail making kit: Perfect for any home bar or for getting you through a Christmas party. For making that Christmas play bearable, to help make your in laws tolerable or just to give you that final nudge to sleep after Christmas Dinner, the Von Shef Cocktail kit is perfect for any occasion. 

Buy it here.

 

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CLOTHING & GROOMING

Samuel Windsor- Padstow Summer Blazer: This stylish light weight blazer is perfect for those stuffy Christmas parties, can be worn on the more formal side of things or as a smart casual ensemble. 

Buy it here.

Satin Pyjamas- There is nothing as cozy as snuggling under a blanket in a pair of these bad boys. Until lockdown kicked in I wasn't sold on the whole pyjama's during the day scene. But I'm sold. 

Buy a pair here.

Charles Tyrwhitt- Silk Scarf: Silk Scarves are an elegant way to add a dash of colour to your winter wardrobe. Working with a suit or any sort of casual winterwear. 

Buy this stylish piece here.

The Double O- James Bond Socks- By The London Sock Exchange: What sums up Christmas presents better than a pair of socks? And with these James Bond themed socks from the London Sock Exchange you can emulate the very epitome of masculine style from head to toe. 

Buy it here.

Gunn and Moore Cricket Sweater: A winter warmer in a classic British style. 

Buy it here.

Unisex Swatch MONO BLACK Watch SUOB720- A stunning piece that can bridge the gap between sport, work or formal. 

Buy it here.

House of Commons Gold and Silver Portcullis Cufflinks: I like a nice pair of cufflinks, they aren't something that men wear much anymore, but when they do, they really add a little touch of flair to any occasion. 

Buy these here.

Floris London No.89 Eau de Toilette: A floral cologne from one of the premier perfumeries of the UK. 

Buy it here.

The Ritual of Samurai Gift Set: Lets face it I could have put any bath or shower gift on this list and as long as it wasn't Lynx Africa it'd probably look ok. 

Isner Mile Beard Grooming Kit for Men: To quote the Australian band, The Beard's "if your dad doesn't have a beard, you've got two mums" But that's no reason not to take pride and care in your facial follicles.  The Isner Mile kit is one of the most comprehensive for all your beard care needs. 

Buy it here.

 

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OTHER

Lock Cowboy 30-Piece Lock Picking Set: I've always fancied that I could have become a great gentleman cat burglar, a sort of raffles for the 21st century, and following an incident that left Jessica locked out in the cold lock picking is a skill that one day might come in handy in our household. It'll certainly come in handy as a party trick if I can get the hang of it. 

Buy it here 

Yes Cymru Car Sticker- Show your support for the cause here. 

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Westlife Dolls

Westlife are an Irish boyband formed in 1998 and were rarely out of the top ten until the mid 2000s. 1/5 of the band, Brian McFadden, left in 2004 and the band eventually disbanded in 2012 - only to reunite in 2018. 

Yaboom Ltd released two sets of Westlife dolls in 2000.

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Basic Dolls

★ Bryan - box front / box back.

★ Shane - box front / box back.

★ Kian - box front / box back.

★ Mark - box front / box back.

★ Nicky - box front / box back.

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Singing Dolls

★ Bryan - box front / box back.

★ Shane - box front / box back.

★ Kian - box front / box back.

★ Mark - box front / box back.

★ Nicky - box front / box back.

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This Week: 21/11/2020

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I'm sure I did stuff this week, none of it is springing to mind as particularly memorable... 

Today we've been doing some Christmas crafts with Marianna. I can't believe the big day is only a few weeks away. Which means that Brexit will be here in 40 days. What a depressing start to the new year... What really galls me about it is that as much as I was against the idea of it, it could have been, well, not great but not awful if they had dealt with the negotiations and preparation competently. Now we just have yet another total shambles to heap on top of our struggling economy and Covid death toll. 

Further afield, I've been really enjoying Kenyan cartoonist/columnist Patrick Gathara's alternative US election coverage in the style of western reports on elections in African countries. It highlights a) how important language is in shaping our views, and b) just how low our expectations of politicians have fallen...

#BREAKING In a message conveyed by their political wing, the Republican party, white extremists in the US vow not to lay down their arms if moderate white opposition leader, Joe Biden, is declared president-elect of the conflict-prone nation, a haven for armed terrorist groups.

— gathara (@gathara) November 10, 2020

On the blog I posted a guide to Hasbro's S Club 7 dolls, Anthony's mention in the Guardian, a review of Maroon Mamma Miniatures, and a Friday Five looking at some of Anthony's 'hilarious' pranks.

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Deal of the Week -

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Song of the Week -

Classic You - Patent Pending

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